King residents angry over possible disbanding of police department

Some King residents expressed disbelief Thursday about what they say is the King City Council's secretive move to possibly have the Stokes County Sheriff's Office provide police service in the city — and effectively disband the King Police Department.

One point of contention is based on the direct family link between a member of the city council and a high-ranking member of the Stokes County Sheriff's Office. Brian Carico, the councilman leading the push to have the sheriff's office take over, is the son of Chief Deputy Craig Carico, the second in command at the sheriff's office.

Brian Carico was the councilman who made the motion Monday night during a public meeting of the King City Council to discuss the economic feasibility of contracting with the sheriff's office. The council voted 3 to 1 in favor, with Wesley Carter opposing.

On Thursday, when Craig Carico was asked by a reporter whether he and his son had discussed the matter before the meeting, he said he had no comment.

Councilman Brian Carico did not return several calls requesting comment.

Another point of contention is how the city council went about discussing the matter Monday. Some items got detailed agenda descriptions, such as "requests for the King Senior Center." But for an issue that that could lead to the disbanding of the police department, the council advised the public with this generic line: "Items of general concern."

Stephen James, a King resident, couldn't believe it.

"This thing was snuck in there. They (city council) went completely behind around us on this," James said. "They should be doing what we want — not what they want."

James started a Facebook page titled "Citizens united in support to save the King NC Police Department." In a few days, 342 "members" signed up, according to the page.

One of the posts read: "I cannot believe that they are even seriously considering this. Cut costs, sure. Tighten the belt, yeah. Do away with the PD, ludicrous! Hang in there. We are behind you!"

The King Police Department has 22 sworn officers, three administrative positions and five reserve officers, police officials said. Each shift has about four or five patrol officers, police officials said.

The department's budget tends to run about $1.5 million annually. This budget year, costs ran about $2 million, according to Chief Paula May, because the city must comply with radio-communications standards set by the federal government, and the city's radio expenses were pushed into the police budget.

May said that the department's expenses have been under budget for the three-plus years she has been the chief. Although the city council said that it wanted to open negotiations with the sheriff's office for financial reasons, city officials have not brought up any budget issues with May, she said.

"I have not been asked to cut the budget or cut positions," she said.

Asked whether the family ties between the councilman and the sheriff's chief deputy might be a driving factor, May said: "That's for the citizens to decide whether there is any conflict of interest."

The Stokes Sheriff's Office has 43 full-time positions to cover 454 square miles, Craig Carico said.

Each shift has about five or six officers.

Craig Carico said he could not comment on whether the sheriff's office would have to hire more deputies to provide service to King.

Several calls requesting comment from City Manager John Cater and Mayor Jack Warren were not returned. On Tuesday, Cater said in an email that the city council wants to find the most cost-effective manner to provide law enforcement service.

On Tuesday, Stokes County Sheriff Mike Marshall told the Winston-Salem Journal that he had not been contacted by King city officials. "All I've got is rumors, and it's kind of hard for me to respond to a rumor," he said.

That comment does not square with information provided by Forsyth County Sheriff Bill Schatzman. Marshall contacted Schatzman recently to talk about how a county sheriff's office provides service to municipalities, something the Forsyth sheriff's office does.

Asked when that conversation took place, Schatzman said it was about a week ago.

Calls to Marshall were not returned.

About 1 square mile of King, with about 600 residents, is in Forsyth.

Schatzman said he has not been contacted to provide service to the area.

James, the King resident, said he is organizing a meeting at the King Public Library on Monday at 6 p.m. to discuss the issue. In addition, he said, a lot of people will probably attend the Stokes County commissioners meeting Monday at 1:30 p.m. in Danbury.